Every year in New York there is a special show dedicated to food. This show doesn’t just showcase any food, it showcases specialty food. The Fancy Food Show 2017 was a gathering of the most innovative minds in the industry. Entrepreneurs, food artisans, purveyors, importers and more all come together to showcase what they have and start shaping the food trends for the year to come. This year seemed to be focused on healthy gourmet foods in one way or another.
We visited the Fancy Food Show 2017 to get a glimpse of what trends are on their way to the gourmet food scene and how they will shape the future.
What Makes Food Gourmet?
The term “gourmet” is often misused by everyday consumers and the Fancy Food Show 2017 showcased what makes food gourmet. Gourmet food doesn’t need to be food that requires a second mortgage to try. Gourmet food is food that is original, presented artistically and does more than just feed your hunger. Passion for food is required when making anything gourmet, in fact, passion may just be the main ingredient of anything gourmet. One thing that is rarely mentioned in gourmet circles is health. Health plays a big role in food but gourmet food is usually spotlighted due to its appearance and flavor.
Healthy Gourmet Foods
Healthy foods are always important and it’s no different at the Fancy Food Show 2017. Major exhibits were dedicated to nutrient filled water that can help with hangovers. Energy bites and foods could be found all around the show as well. Many of the foods at the show had a way to help people stay healthy while still enjoying the tastes. But any of the trends start before the show even opened its doors. For example, healthy snack bars or energy bites have been growing within the gourmet food industry for some time now. Since 2014, snack bars have grown in popularity by as much as 50%. During the Fancy Food Show 2017, they showcased the future of energy bites and snack bars thanks to their huge popularity.
Future of Food
The Fancy Food Show 2017 showcased many different foods and ingredients like oils and spreads. But the most exciting thing to see at the show is the future of gourmet food in the industry. Once again, the industry wants to push the boundaries of natural in the eyes of the consumer. Plant-based foods are going to continue growing within the industry. So much innovation happening around plant-based foods, dairy alternatives, and more. Coffee and teas are areas where innovation is growing rapidly. Coffee has been a huge trend for years now and could use a revamp. Soe companies are working on enhancing the good in coffee and getting rid of the negative through the fermentation process. We’ll have to wait and see how that works out. No matter where the industry is headed, we’ll be there together, enjoying the flavors and works of art that innovators create.